The meeting was arranged by Andrew Mitchell to discuss policing in Sutton Coldfield as well as the Government’s Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill which has started its passage through Parliament following its introduction to the House of Commons on 30 November.

During the meeting, Andrew Mitchell discussed the Police Chief’s views on the impact of the Government’s proposals on policing in Sutton Coldfield and the West Midlands.

Andrew stressed his commitment to supporting Sutton’s police to ensure they can continue to deliver a high standard of policing to local residents.

Andrew Mitchell MP said, “Chief Constable Sims’ comments were extremely interesting and I will be passing his views on to my colleague, the Home Secretary, Theresa May.”

Mr Mitchell also raised the problem of anti-social behaviour on behalf of a number of constituents who have written to him on the matter and discussed the Government’s plans to tackle the problem.

Andrew Mitchell MP said, “Anti-social behaviour is a real blight to those who encounter it and an issue the Government takes very seriously. We are introducing a raft of measures to tackle anti-social behaviour which include a ban on selling alcohol below cost price, overhauling the Licensing Act to give local authorities much stronger powers to remove licences from, or refuse to grant licences to, any premises that cause problems and to give councils the power to shut down permanently any shop or bar found to be persistently selling alcohol to children. We will be doubling the maximum fine for under-age alcohol sales to £20,000. Local councils will be able to charge more for late night licences to pay for additional policing to make our streets in areas where there are late night licences safer for all.

“The Government has also reduced bureaucracy for the police and is bringing in measures to return to common-sense policing. We are obliging police to publish details of local crime statistics, so the public can get proper information about crime in their neighbourhood and hold the police to account for their performance. All of these measures will help to reduce anti-social behaviour.

“I am grateful for the outstanding job that our Police do in keeping Sutton’s streets safe and I look forward to visiting our local Police Station later this week to meet with policemen and women there.”